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𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓵𝓲𝓽𝔂
Jun. 18th, 2023 11:57 amIf Dr. Wily can be considered to regret anything, it's how he raised Regal. Between his distractions, lack of affection or attention, easy forgetfulness and blatantly obvious approach to villainy, he managed to successfully alienate his child before he even hit double digits. An ordinary child might have become depressed, or fallen into spoilt tantrums out of frustration. They might have strove to impress the man, to win his love, or become overwhelmed with bitterness. Regal, instead, simply failed to develop empathy, saw no appeal in forming bonds with others save for how they might be manipulated, and began to see the world as a cold, harsh place where people existed to be used. Those who had sentimental feelings became seen as fools and natural victims, and those who let those feelings rule their actions even more so.
Though Regal outwardly appeared to harbor no ill-feelings, his lack of caring for his own father has since become blatant. He held the visage of polite deference only until he was sure that he had learnt everthing he could from the old man. Then he began his own reign of terror as a NetCriminal.
Solitary and with little feeling for others, Regal views the world in distinctly harsh ways. He regards laws only as annoyances that need to be given the appearance of being followed, and views people in general as mere pawns. It can be said that he's not bigoted, but that's because he regards everyone with the same level of disdain. He feels almost nothing for anyone but Rhythm and Shadowman.exe
His love for Rhythm is a rare soft-spot in a character that's inclined to be rather hard. The many years between them in fact worked to their benefit as by the time she was born, he was past his hormonal phase, a time in which he was rather more angry than anything else. Though he was already shifting from fire to ice at this point, baby Rhythm was the sole human he took a personal interest in and he was protective of her from an early age. This was more of a minor thing; he prevented multiple investigations into his father solely because if he was arrested, Rhythm would be taken into care due to Regal's own youth, but didn't try to intervene in her regular safety. He did, however, baby-proof his lab and keep her on his lap or in a papoose when she was in it. As with all things he finds easier to ignore, he doesn't acknowledge this often.
After Rhythm's health worsened and her conditions became known, Regal became more protective, though not to the point of overprotection. Though Dr. Wily was often thoughtless, he never once missed getting Rhythm her meds and supplies, but Regal kept full track of them and insisted on Forte updating him on any supply issues. He would drive her personally to doctor's appointments or hospital visits and wait patiently until she was done, working on his laptop until he was needed. He made absolutely sure that anyone who tried to bully or harass Rhythm was subsequently punished. Sometimes this was to excess, but he did his best to keep what he was doing from her. To this day he sees her as something to protect and care for, even at the cost of his own life if needed.
His feelings on his Navi are more complicated. He knows that logically, Shadowman.exe is just a tool, designed to infiltrate, spy, steal, kill and destroy as needed. Despite that he can't see him as a tool. He thrills at his subordinate's actions, relishes in the suffering of the people who go up against him and appreciates what he does for him. He goes through phases where he tries to shut him out and become as cold to him as he is to everyone, but he always winds up giving it up before too long.
Shadowman.exe is likely the only person who knows all of his little secrets.
For all of his sadism, Regal is far too arrogant to acknowledge it. He won't even acknowledge the mad laughter he does on occasion while doing particularly nefarious things. If anyone speaks of it, he will look at them as if they're hallucinating and scornfully deny any such thing occurred. Likewise, he won't acknowledge the less obvious fact that his ambitions are not as lofty as he claims. Conquest, success at programming, creating something amazing, great accomplishments; those are things he will claim to be goals. The truth is, however, he's out for whatever entertains him the most. Bonus points if it proves him superior to others.
Though Regal outwardly appeared to harbor no ill-feelings, his lack of caring for his own father has since become blatant. He held the visage of polite deference only until he was sure that he had learnt everthing he could from the old man. Then he began his own reign of terror as a NetCriminal.
Solitary and with little feeling for others, Regal views the world in distinctly harsh ways. He regards laws only as annoyances that need to be given the appearance of being followed, and views people in general as mere pawns. It can be said that he's not bigoted, but that's because he regards everyone with the same level of disdain. He feels almost nothing for anyone but Rhythm and Shadowman.exe
His love for Rhythm is a rare soft-spot in a character that's inclined to be rather hard. The many years between them in fact worked to their benefit as by the time she was born, he was past his hormonal phase, a time in which he was rather more angry than anything else. Though he was already shifting from fire to ice at this point, baby Rhythm was the sole human he took a personal interest in and he was protective of her from an early age. This was more of a minor thing; he prevented multiple investigations into his father solely because if he was arrested, Rhythm would be taken into care due to Regal's own youth, but didn't try to intervene in her regular safety. He did, however, baby-proof his lab and keep her on his lap or in a papoose when she was in it. As with all things he finds easier to ignore, he doesn't acknowledge this often.
After Rhythm's health worsened and her conditions became known, Regal became more protective, though not to the point of overprotection. Though Dr. Wily was often thoughtless, he never once missed getting Rhythm her meds and supplies, but Regal kept full track of them and insisted on Forte updating him on any supply issues. He would drive her personally to doctor's appointments or hospital visits and wait patiently until she was done, working on his laptop until he was needed. He made absolutely sure that anyone who tried to bully or harass Rhythm was subsequently punished. Sometimes this was to excess, but he did his best to keep what he was doing from her. To this day he sees her as something to protect and care for, even at the cost of his own life if needed.
His feelings on his Navi are more complicated. He knows that logically, Shadowman.exe is just a tool, designed to infiltrate, spy, steal, kill and destroy as needed. Despite that he can't see him as a tool. He thrills at his subordinate's actions, relishes in the suffering of the people who go up against him and appreciates what he does for him. He goes through phases where he tries to shut him out and become as cold to him as he is to everyone, but he always winds up giving it up before too long.
Shadowman.exe is likely the only person who knows all of his little secrets.
For all of his sadism, Regal is far too arrogant to acknowledge it. He won't even acknowledge the mad laughter he does on occasion while doing particularly nefarious things. If anyone speaks of it, he will look at them as if they're hallucinating and scornfully deny any such thing occurred. Likewise, he won't acknowledge the less obvious fact that his ambitions are not as lofty as he claims. Conquest, success at programming, creating something amazing, great accomplishments; those are things he will claim to be goals. The truth is, however, he's out for whatever entertains him the most. Bonus points if it proves him superior to others.
